Ask HN: Can you legally deny selling software to someone on ethical grounds? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Can you legally deny selling software to someone on ethical grounds?

#41

Post by tptacek » Sun, Dec 09, 2018, 12:01 AM UTC

kazinator wrote: post #29

bhhaskin wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly. And the reality is if you don't take their money, a competitor will.

I don't agree with "if I don't perpetrate this harm, someone else will, so it's okay" because that pattern can be used to justify any harm. If I don't perpetrate this harm, and someone else does, the moral culpability rests with them and not me; and that makes all the difference. I'm saying that doing business with people who oppose abortion isn't the perpetration of harm. We as a society do not economically ostraciz…

We don't? Sure we do. We boycott all sorts of things. Economics and market relationships are one of the most potent tools people in our capitalist society have for effecting change.

Re: Ask HN: Can you legally deny selling software to someone on ethical grounds?

#42

Post by tptacek » Sun, Dec 09, 2018, 12:02 AM UTC

csomar wrote: post #32

What's next? Are you going to investigate your clients, their families, their gender, their money sources? Are you going to open a money laundering investigation on each bank deposit you get? Unless it is illegal, you should not care. I think it is very unprofessional to deny service to someone because he has extreme opinions. You become just as worse as him; if not more. It is not your right to dictate what society…

I imagine what's next is that the next time a pro-life advocacy organization tries to sign up, they will again say "no".

Re: Ask HN: Can you legally deny selling software to someone on ethical grounds?

#43

Post by tptacek » Sun, Dec 09, 2018, 12:03 AM UTC

maccio92 wrote: post #11

Let them quit. Your company will be better without such extreme zealots

Or it won't, and you'll fail, but at least you'll have stood by your own principle of disregarding the political beliefs of your team in the service of your customers, and maybe that's what'll make you happiest!

Re: Ask HN: Can you legally deny selling software to someone on ethical grounds?

#44

Post by p0d » Sun, Dec 09, 2018, 1:48 PM UTC

I’m getting older and somewhat dismayed at how people want to punish others for their viewpoint. I am told I must be more tolerant by people who want to sack, ban and punish others for having a different point of view.

I would not support your colleagues stance unless your clients are breaking the law. The logical outcome of supporting every interest group would be chaos.